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Cultural Context

ceremonial; spirit dance

Narrative

In 1972, D. Kew of Musqueam noted on the catalogue card that: "After four years of being a member of the Spirit Dance group, a man may use the kwcmin if his "power" tells him to do so. He uses it to signal the beat of his song."

History Of Use

Alternately referred to as a dance rattle, or dance baton. Elmendorf notes that amongst the southern Coast Salish: "this type of rattle consisted of several deer hoofs strung together, bunched. Several of these might be attached to a pole or held in the hand and shaken. Deer-hoof bunches were never attached to drums or other rattles. The deer-hoof rattle was especially used at spirit dances, principally in dancing the types of powers called qwa'xq for which deer-hoof bunches were attached to poles (1960:223)."

Description

Wooden staff, or baton, adorned with many deer hooves at the proximal end that rattle. The hooves are threaded with pieces of deer hide which are in turn wound around and tied to the baton. A carved bear head creates a finial above two sets of deer hoof rattles. The remainder of the baton is engraved with various animals designs, which have also been painted.